Stereotypes and Representations in Media

Stereotype

Definition: A stereotype is “...a fixed, over generalized belief about a particular group or class of people.” (Cardwell, 1996).

For example, a “hell’s angel” biker dresses in leather.

One advantage of a stereotype is that it enables us to respond rapidly to situations because we may have had a similar experience before.

One disadvantage is that it makes us ignore differences between individuals; therefore we think things about people that might not be true (i.e. make generalizations).

Representations in Media

Represented - describe or depict (someone or something) as being of a certain nature; portray in a particular way.

Misrepresented - give a false or misleading representation of usually with an intent to deceive or be unfair.

Omitted - leave out or exclude (someone or something), either intentionally or forgetfully.

Students look at the advantages of stereotyping for filmmakers: a lot of material has to be condensed into a short time, and a character stereotype enables the use of a kind of shorthand between the filmmaker and the audience.

Stereotypes are learned not only from the mass media, but from direct experience as well.

One of the main places that children and adults learn stereotypes is the mass media. Content analyses have found that advertisements, television programs, movies, and other media are saturated with racial and gender stereotypes (Entman & Rojecki, 2000; Furnham & Mak, 1999; Plous & Neptune, 1997).

What Is the role of the media in shaping public opinion?

What are steps we can all take to limit the negative impact of stereotypes in the media?

Is there some issues of representation in Media ?

What is the famous stereotype about Filipino? Do you think it's true?

what stereotype are you guilty with?

Why do people stereotype others?

“There is nothing wrong with stereotyping people”. React to this statement.

Have you ever been falsely stereotyped?

Can the group where someone belongs describe him/her as a person?

What are example of Stereotypes in the Media?

How can someone stop stereotyping?

What will you do if you are being judged for something that is not true?

How does streotyping helps you?

Do you think that it is a good idea to stereotype people?

ellaelaeh wrote:What are steps we can all take to limit the negative impact of stereotypes in the media?

Based on what i observe everyday, we can simply be less judgmental and we should learn to think deeper and understand contexts with enough knowledge

salango.lester wrote:What will you do if you are being judged for something that is not true?

The most basic thing that i will do is explaining the truth, but if it doesn't work I'll just ignore the judgment passed on me since it may be an opinion of a person.

salango.lester wrote:Have you ever been falsely stereotyped?

Yes

salango.lester wrote:How does streotyping helps you?

It can be used to easily and quickly respond to situations because it makes you think that something would be the same of another thing based on your experience.

salango.lester wrote:“There is nothing wrong with stereotyping people”. React to this statement.

Not all the times, because sometimes by stereotyping certain people, their actions might get misunderstood and judged easily. A good example is a man with lots of tattoos and a good body build. Lots of people would stereotype him as a bad person and would judge his actions quickly.

How can I use this in real life